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"It's past time for HIV and AIDS to be relegated to history so that 25
years from now, we can look back at what was and what is no more," said
Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.
WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese made the
following statement on the 25th anniversary of the first reported case
of AIDS:
"In a heartbeat, a generation of Americans was lost to AIDS," said Human
Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "While the government's
reaction was slow, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community
united into a political force that demanded action and, with an enduring
commitment, secured it. Today is a day to honor the lives lost, to pay
tribute to the many who took action, and to recognize the great
challenges that still stand before us in fighting the scourge of HIV and
AIDS.
Solmonese continued, "While we've come a long way, HIV/AIDS continues to
devastate communities around the world and in the United States,
particularly among men who have sex with men and communities of color.
We must demand that more resources are devoted to this fight. The
President's proposed budget slashes funding for HIV/AIDS research at the
NIH by $15 million. The nation's biggest answer to providing care for
HIV/AIDS, the Ryan White CARE Act, has been mostly flat-funded for five
straight years. The administration and Congressional leadership are
allowing ideology to trump science when it comes to prevention
strategies, leaving young people dangerously vulnerable without the
tools they need to protect themselves.
"Today prevention remains the only cure," added Solmonese. "And our
administration is sending unproven abstinence-only programs overseas to
do damage on an international scale. Today, let's commit to harnessing
our national resources to do what needs to be done. We must adequately
fund treatment and care programs, advance science-based prevention
strategies, and invest in research. It's past time for HIV and AIDS to
be relegated to history so that 25 years from now, we can look back at
what was and what is no more."
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender political organization with members throughout the
country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and
educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest
and safe at home, at work and in the community.
